Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord and next weekend Pentecost and the secular national holiday of Memorial Day. I also know that at this time of year most people are busy attending weddings, Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations and Graduations. I thought about all of these different gatherings happening now for many of us, and I asked myself, what do these moments—these sacramental, liturgical and secular celebrations have in common? Personally, I think they are all about graduations—the moments celebrated and commemorated as we leave one world and step into another.
Think about the readings for today: they are all about the Ascension story of Jesus being taken up, ascending into heaven. He leaves this earth in one form and returns in another next weekend (as the Holy Spirit). This essentially happens to us too, in our Baptism, Communion, Confirmation and Marriage—we are changed by these sacramental moments—moving into a new life as a new person after they take place. In graduating we start a new life, too: a new school or a new job or a new place to live. We become new people having been changed by sacramental and secular events in our lives.
Next week on Memorial Day (Pentecost weekend) we remember our fallen heroes who have sacrificed for us—we memorialize—commemorate, remember, celebrate, observe, venerate, and honor all those persons who gave their lives for our country. They have “graduated” from life here on earth to a new life in heaven. When we celebrate these sacramental events in our lives we memorialize them also—we hold a gathering, take pictures, talk about the journey, and remember.
Today, on Ascension, St. Paul prays this: “May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know the hope that belongs to His call, what are the riches of glory in His inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power for us who believe…” This is a great prayer for those graduating, for those experiencing any sacrament, and for those needing comfort for the loss of a hero in their lives. No matter what you are graduating to next in your life circumstances, you are not alone. As we move from one life to another, we have the hope and promise that Christ is with us always, “until the end of the age.”
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
Think about the readings for today: they are all about the Ascension story of Jesus being taken up, ascending into heaven. He leaves this earth in one form and returns in another next weekend (as the Holy Spirit). This essentially happens to us too, in our Baptism, Communion, Confirmation and Marriage—we are changed by these sacramental moments—moving into a new life as a new person after they take place. In graduating we start a new life, too: a new school or a new job or a new place to live. We become new people having been changed by sacramental and secular events in our lives.
Next week on Memorial Day (Pentecost weekend) we remember our fallen heroes who have sacrificed for us—we memorialize—commemorate, remember, celebrate, observe, venerate, and honor all those persons who gave their lives for our country. They have “graduated” from life here on earth to a new life in heaven. When we celebrate these sacramental events in our lives we memorialize them also—we hold a gathering, take pictures, talk about the journey, and remember.
Today, on Ascension, St. Paul prays this: “May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know the hope that belongs to His call, what are the riches of glory in His inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power for us who believe…” This is a great prayer for those graduating, for those experiencing any sacrament, and for those needing comfort for the loss of a hero in their lives. No matter what you are graduating to next in your life circumstances, you are not alone. As we move from one life to another, we have the hope and promise that Christ is with us always, “until the end of the age.”
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
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